Craters of interest on the Moon
January 5th 2008 05:44
Despite the Moon mostly bland appearance it is one of the easiest celestial bodies to study. It does not require expensive viewing equipment and is accessible. We take the Moon for granted as it is a very familiar to us and we tend to overlook the mysteries it holds within its well weathered surface.
To the naked eye the Moon appears as a grey orb with markings on the surface we can see patches of smooth and dark areas.
Depending on the position of the Moon for example a full Moon just rising appears golden yellow next to the horizon it s appearance is an optical illusion. Still we continue gaze at it.
If you take a look at the Moon with a pair of binoculars you will begin to see more detail areas you can see smaller craters.
A moderate telescope give us even greater detail especially the craters on the outer lunar limb.
One of my fovourite craters is called Humboldt, it is a huge walled plain 207 km in diameter. Humboldt approaches the transition where large craters take on some of the morphological characteristics of impact basins. It is also one of the largest floor-fractured craters, modified by the intrusion and leaking to the surface of magma. The best time to see this crater is two days after new Moon or one day after full Moon. The region to look is very close to the eastern limb of the Moon.
If you are feeling adventurous dust off the telescope and have a look you can try seeing it on the 8th new Moon or the 22nd of January.
To the naked eye the Moon appears as a grey orb with markings on the surface we can see patches of smooth and dark areas.
Depending on the position of the Moon for example a full Moon just rising appears golden yellow next to the horizon it s appearance is an optical illusion. Still we continue gaze at it.
If you take a look at the Moon with a pair of binoculars you will begin to see more detail areas you can see smaller craters.
A moderate telescope give us even greater detail especially the craters on the outer lunar limb.
Humboldt seen through a telescope
One of my fovourite craters is called Humboldt, it is a huge walled plain 207 km in diameter. Humboldt approaches the transition where large craters take on some of the morphological characteristics of impact basins. It is also one of the largest floor-fractured craters, modified by the intrusion and leaking to the surface of magma. The best time to see this crater is two days after new Moon or one day after full Moon. The region to look is very close to the eastern limb of the Moon.
Image taken by the crew of Apollo15
If you are feeling adventurous dust off the telescope and have a look you can try seeing it on the 8th new Moon or the 22nd of January.
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